Anti-free flow mechanism

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses an anti-free flow mechanism for a finger-type peristaltic infusion pump (DDS) comprising: a passive mechanical interface (MS) which integrally accommodates a portion of a flexible infusion-tube, and an anti-free flow valve (AFFV) which is a spring-activated latch incorporated with the (MS). The maneuverable latch is secured in the (MS) either in a closed or opened configuration: in its closed configuration no flow is provided and in its opened configuration, a free flow is facilitated. The anti-free flow is configured in a manner that when the (MS) is not properly mounted in the (DDS), the (AFFV) is automatically actuated to its closed configuration, and vice versa that when the (MS) is properly mounted in the (DDS), the latch is adapted to be automatically switched to the opened configuration The invention also presents methods for avoiding anti-free flow in finger-type peristaltic infusion pumps.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an anti-free flow mechanismfor a finer-type peristaltic infusion pump.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An infusion pump infuses fluids, medication or nutrients into apatient's circulatory system. It is generally used intravenously,although subcutaneous, arterial and epidural infusions are occasionallyused.

Infusion pumps can administer fluids in ways that would be impracticallyexpensive or unreliable if performed manually by nursing staff. Forexample, they can administer as little as 0.1 mL per hour injections,injections every minute, injections with repeated boluses requested bythe patient, up to maximum number per hour, or fluids whose volumes varyby the time of day. Because they can also produce quite high butcontrolled pressures, they can inject controlled amounts of fluids e.g.,subcutaneously or epidurally.

Among other safety features available on some pumps anti-free flowmechanism, anti-free-flow devices prevent blood from draining from thepatient, or infusate from freely entering the patient, when the infusionpump is being set-up.

Various approaches were taken in the literature to ensure anti-free-flowin those pumps. Hence for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,262 discloses aperistaltic pump with housing, a pump head in the housing, and areceiving path defined along housing and pump head for receiving tubing.Nevertheless, an effective anti-free flow provided in a passivemechanical interface (MS) which integrally accommodates a portion of theflexible infusion-tube wherein a flow of infusion fluid is provided isstill a long felt need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide an anti-freeflow mechanism for a finger-type peristaltic infusion pump (DDS); themechanism comprising (i) a passive mechanical interface (MS) whichintegrally accommodates a portion of the flexible infusion-tube, and(ii) an anti-free flow valve (AFFV) which is a spring-activated latch,said latch is incorporated within the MS; wherein the maneuverable latchis secured in the MS either in CLOSE or OPEN configurations: in itsCLOSE configuration no flow is provided, and vice versa, in its OPENconfiguration, a free flow is facilitated; the anti-free flow mechanismis configures in a manner that when the MS is not properly mounted insaid DDS, the AFFV is automatically actuated via a plurality, especiallya set of one or more integrated springs, to its CLOSE configuration; andvice versa, it is configures in a manner that when the MS is properlymounted in said DDS, the latch is adapted to be automatically switchedto the OPEN configuration. The terms ‘AFFV’ and ‘spring-activated latch’are used hereinafter interchangeably.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-free flowmechanism as defined above, wherein the AFFV is adapted to be manuallyswitched to a secured-OPEN configuration whereat the MS is not mountedin said DDS; the configuration-switch is possibly provided by applying acontinuous press on the AFFV, and vice versa, immediately after stoppressing the AFFV is switched to its CLOSE configuration.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-free flowmechanism as defined above, wherein the AFFV is adapted to be manuallyswitched to its OPEN configuration whereat the MS is not mounted in theDDS; the switch is provided possible by applying a single tilting presson the AFFV; the OPEN configuration is possibly followed by either (i)switching said AFFV to its CLOSE configuration or (ii) switching theAFFV to its secured-OPEN configuration.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-free flowmechanism as defined above, wherein the AFFV is adapted to beautomatically switched to its CLOSE configuration whereat MS isswitched-out of the DDS, regardless to the initial OPEN/CLOSEconfiguration of the AFFV (namely when the MS was mounted in said DDS).

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-freeflow mechanism as defined above, wherein the AFFM is especially adaptedto be manually switched to its various OPEN/CLOSE configuration by onehand.

A last object of the present invention is to provide a method forproviding an anti-free flow mechanism in a finger-type peristalticinfusion pump (DDS); the method comprising steps as follows:

(a) obtaining an anti-free flow mechanism for a finger-type peristalticinfusion pump (DDS); said mechanism comprising (i) a passive mechanicalinterface (MS) which integrally accommodates a portion of the flexibleinfusion-tube, and (ii) an anti-free flow valve (AFFV) which is aspring-activated latch, the latch is incorporated within said MS;wherein said maneuverable latch is secured in said MS either in CLOSE orOPEN configurations: in its CLOSE configuration no flow is provided, andvice versa, in its OPEN configuration, a free flow is facilitated; saidanti-free flow mechanism is configures in a manner that when the MS isnot properly mounted in the DDS, the AFFV is automatically actuated viaa plurality, especially a set of one or more integrated springs, to itsCLOSE configuration; and vice versa, it is configures in a manner thatwhen said MS is properly mounted in said DDS, said latch is adapted tobe automatically switched to said OPEN configuration; and

(b) one or more of the following steps:

(i) manually switching the AFFV to a TEMPORALLY-OPEN configurationwhereat the MS is not mounted in the DDS; the switch is providedpossible by applying a continuous press on said AFFV, and vice versa,immediately after stop pressing the AFFV is switched to its CLOSEconfiguration;

(ii) automatically switching said AFFV to its CLOSE configurationwhereat MS is switched-out of the DDS, regardless to the initialSECURED-OPEN/TEMPORALLY-OPEN/CLOSE configuration of said AFFV, namelywhen the MS was mounted in said DDS); and,

(iii) manually switching the AFFV to its various OPEN/CLOSEconfigurations by one hand, while the MS is not mounted in the DDS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may beimplemented in practice, a plurality of preferred embodiments will nowbe described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to theaccompanying drawing, in which

FIG. 1 schematically illustrating cross-section of DDS-MS with anti-freeflow mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrating three detailed cross-sections of an MSwith AFFV in various OPEN/CLOSE configurations according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrating cross-sections of an anti-free flowmechanism in a CLOSE configuration;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrating several cross-sections of an anti-freeflow mechanism in various OPEN/CLOSE configurations with a look on bothAFFV and springs, according to one embodiment of the present invention;and,

FIG. 5 schematically illustrating simplified cross-sections of ananti-free flow mechanism in its various OPEN/CLOSE configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of thepresent invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to makeuse of said invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by theinventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however,will remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the genericprinciples of the present invention have been defined specifically toprovide an anti-free flow mechanism for a finer-type peristalticinfusion pump.

The term ‘plurality’ refers hereinafter to any integer number equal orhigher 1, e.g., 2, 4 etc.

An anti-free flow mechanism incorporated within a passive mechanicalinterface, the interface is adapted for mounting of a flexible infusiontube in a finger-type peristaltic infusion pump in a reversible yetsecured manner.

The present invention discloses a passive mechanical interface, denotedhereinafter in the term ‘MS’ being a mechanical interface of the settubing to the DDS, that has no moving parts or static members being anintegral part of the aforesaid pumping mechanism of sensors thereof,e.g., pistons, hinges, cams, wheels, sealing membranes, gaskets etc TheMS is interlace with an integrated anti-free flow mechanism, useful formounting a flexible infusion tube to in a finger-type peristalticinfusion pump, so as a uni-directional or bi-directional flow, providedby the pump solely in a predetermined direction of an infusion. The MSreversibly yet securely mounts the tube in a predetermined 3Dorientation so it is facing the pumping mechanism and various sensors ofthe infusion pump. The MS hence comprises of a mechanical conduct to theset tubing that acts as an interface of sad tubing to a pump and ananti-free flow valve (AFFV).

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, schematically illustrating a crosssection of a DDS and anti-free flow mechanism according to oneembodiment of the present invention. A passive mechanical interface (MS,3) is mounted in a finger-type peristaltic infusion pump (4) so aspressing fingers (6) and sensors (here, bubble detector, 7) areperfectly oriented towards a flexible infusion-tube (5) accommodated insaid MS. The anti-free flow mechanism comprises of an anti-free flowlatch, valve or shutoff (1) located in the MS, facing an AFFV-activatingmember (AFFV, 2) located in the DDS. The AFFV is now in its CLOSEconfiguration and infused fluid is not flowing via tube (5). By mountingMS in DDS (See Open-Close arrow), AFFV is pressed against the AFFVactivating member and AFFV is automatically switched on to its OPENconfiguration, and flow of the infused fluid is allowed via tube (5).

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, schematically illustrating an AFFVmechanism in three different OPEN/CLOSE configurations. Those sachemspresent both valves and springs orientation in various configurations.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, schematically illustrating theanti-free flow mechanism according to one embodiment of the presentinvention, being temporarily in its CLOSE configuration. MS (3) isaccommodating flexible infusion-tube (2).

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, schematically presenting a variousOPEN/CLOSE configurations of the anti-free flow mechanism. Upper schemeillustrates the MS wherein AFFV is in its OPEN and securedconfiguration. The MS (10) here accommodates an infusion tube (11),wherein the AFFV (12) is in connection to a plurality (e.g., 1-4) ofretrieving spring (13). Lower scheme illustrates the MS wherein AFFV isin its OPEN configuration. Lowest scheme illustrates the MS wherein AFFVis in its CLOSE configuration.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, schematically presenting a variousOPEN/CLOSE configurations of the anti-free flow mechanism withoutshowing the spring members. Upper scheme presents the MS wherein theAFFV is in its OPEN and secured configuration. Lower scheme illustratesthe MS wherein AFFV is in its OPEN configuration. Lowest schemeillustrates the MS wherein AFFV is in its CLOSE configuration.

1. An anti-free flow mechanism for a finger-type peristaltic infusionpump (DDS); said mechanism comprising (i) a passive mechanical interface(MS) which integrally accommodates a portion of the flexibleinfusion-tube, and (ii) an anti-free flow valve (AFFV) which is aspring-activated latch, said latch is incorporated within said MS;wherein said maneuverable latch is secured in said MS either in CLOSE orOPEN configurations: in its CLOSE configuration no flow is provided, andvice versa, in its OPEN configuration, a free flow is facilitated; saidanti-free flow mechanism is configures in a manner that when said MS isnot properly mounted in said DDS, said AFFV is automatically actuatedvia a plurality, especially a set of one or more integrated springs, toits CLOSE configuration; and vice versa, it is configures in a mannerthat when said MS is properly mounted in said DDS, said latch is adaptedto be automatically switched to said OPEN configuration.
 2. An anti-freeflow mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said AFFV is adapted to bemanually switched to a TEMPORALLY-OPEN configuration whereat the MS isnot mounted in said DDS; said configuration-switch is provided possibleby applying a continuous press on said AFFV, and vice versa, immediatelyafter stop pressing said AFFV is switched to its CLOSE configuration. 3.An anti-free flow mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said AFFV isadapted to be manually switched to its TEMPORALLY-OPEN configurationwhereat the MS is not mounted in said DDS; said AFFV is further adaptedto be switched on to an self maintained SECURED-OPEN configuration; andwherein this SECURED-OPEN configuration is possibly re-switched to theTEMPORALLY-OPEN configuration by applying an inverted tilting press. 4.An anti-free flow mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said AFFV isadapted to be automatically switched to its CLOSE configuration whereatMS is switched-out of the DDS, regardless to the initialSECURED-OPEN/TEMPORALLY-OPEN/CLOSE configuration of said AFFV, namelywhen the MS was mounted in said DDS).
 5. An anti-free flow mechanism asdefined in claim 1 especially adapted to be manually switched to itsvarious OPEN/CLOSE configuration by one hand, while the MS is notmounted in said DDS.
 6. A method for avoiding anti-free flow in afinger-type peristaltic infusion pump; said method comprising steps of(a) obtaining an anti-free flow mechanism for a finger-type peristalticinfusion pump; said mechanism comprising (i) a passive mechanicalinterface (MS) which integrally accommodates a portion of the flexibleinfusion-tube, and (ii) an anti-free flow valve (AFFV) which is aspring-activated latch, said latch is incorporated within said MS;wherein said maneuverable latch is secured in said MS either in CLOSE orOPEN configurations: in its CLOSE configuration no flow is provided, andvice versa, in its OPEN configuration, a free flow is facilitated; saidanti-free flow mechanism is configures in a manner that when said MS isnot properly mounted in said DDS, said AFFV is automatically actuatedvia a plurality, especially a set of one or more integrated springs, toits CLOSE configuration; and vice versa, it is configures in a mannerthat when said MS is properly mounted in said pump, said latch isadapted to be automatically switched to said OPEN configuration; and(b), one or more of the following steps: (i) manually switching saidAFFV to a TEMPORALLY-OPEN configuration whereat the MS is not mounted insaid DDS; said switch is provided possible by applying a continuouspress on said AFFV, and vice versa, immediately after stop pressing saidAFFV is switched to its CLOSE configuration; (ii) automaticallyswitching said AFFV to its CLOSE configuration whereat MS isswitched-out of the pump, regardless to the initialSECURED-OPEN/TEMPORALLY-OPEN/CLOSE configuration of said AFFV, namelywhen the MS was mounted in said DDS); and, (iii) manually switching saidAFFV to its various OPEN/CLOSE configurations by one hand, while the MSis not mounted in said pump.